Guide
Indented Head Squid Fishing: Shallow Bellarine Flats
How to fish Indented Head for squid on the Bellarine — shallow sand and seagrass flats, the offshore wind that keeps them clean, tide and low-light timing, and small 2.5–3.0 natural jigs from the beach, ramp or kayak.
Quick answer
How to fish Indented Head for squid on the Bellarine — shallow sand and seagrass flats, the offshore wind that keeps them clean, tide and low-light timing, and small 2.5–3.0 natural jigs from the beach, ramp or kayak.
Indented Head Squid Fishing: Shallow Bellarine Flats
Indented Head sits on the eastern Bellarine between Portarlington to the north and St Leonards to the south, fronting a wide, shallow stretch of Port Phillip Bay. There is no big deep-water pier here — this is shallow sand-and-seagrass flats you fish from the beach and foreshore, around the boat ramp, or by wading and kayak. It is quiet, family-friendly and, on the right wind, some of the clearest, calmest calamari water on the Bellarine.
As always, the date matters less than the conditions. This guide is about how the Indented Head water behaves and what to plan for. For the bigger picture read Eging Australia, and in the cooler months pair it with the Winter Squid Fishing Victoria guide.
(Drop your own Indented Head flats and catch photos here.)
Shallow sand and seagrass flats
The ground off Indented Head is broad, shallow flats of sand broken up by seagrass and ribbon weed — prime southern calamari habitat. Because it is so shallow, squid spook easily and a sloppy presentation puts them off. Work the sand holes, weed edges and the slightly deeper drains and channels that hold water on a lower tide rather than dragging a jig across open weed. Read more in How to Read Water for Squid Fishing.
Best time and tide for Indented Head
Tide matters more here than at deeper spots. The flats fish best on a higher or making tide, when there is enough water for squid to move in and hunt with confidence; a dead low can leave you walking mud. Stack that with dawn or dusk low light and you have the prime window. The early dark of winter makes those windows convenient. See Best Time to Catch Squid.
Best wind direction for Indented Head
Same western-shore logic as the rest of the eastern Bellarine: the land sits to the west, so west to south-west winds blow offshore — they flatten the shallow flats and hold them clear, which is exactly what you want over skinny water. Strong easterly or north-easterly winds blow onshore, stirring the shallow sand into a milky mess fast. When that happens, move to a sheltered corner or fish elsewhere. Check the Squid Fishing Weather Guide and the Eging Tactical Radar before you drive.
Squid jig size for Indented Head
Shallow, clear water calls for smaller, slower jigs than most spots:
- 2.5 — the go-to over the shallow flats; lands softly and sinks slowly.
- 1.8–2.0 — worth carrying for very skinny, calm, gin-clear water and spooky squid.
- 3.0 — for the deeper edges, the channels off the ramp, or when wind picks up.
See the Squid Jig Size Guide.
Sinking rate and line setup
Over skinny water a slow sink is essential — a fast jig hits the bottom or fouls weed before it fishes. Lean to standard/slow-sink models, keep them hanging over the flat, and run light PE 0.6–0.8 braid with a fluorocarbon leader so the presentation stays subtle. See the Squid Jig Sinking Rate Guide and Best Line for Squid Fishing.
Working the flats
Cast to a sand hole or the edge of a weed patch, let the jig sink on light tension, then work it with small, soft lifts and long pauses — over shallow water the squid grab it on the drop or while it hangs. Don’t overwork it. Watch the line, and strike only when you feel real weight. Full method in How to Work a Squid Jig and When to Strike.
Access: beach, boat ramp and kayak
Indented Head is easy to get to, with foreshore parking, an open beach to walk and cast from, and a boat ramp for launching a kayak or small boat onto the flats. The shallow water suits wading along the edges to reach cleaner sand, and a kayak lets you drift the seagrass quietly without spooking fish. Watch your footing on weed and soft sand.
Landing and etiquette
Landing is easy off the beach, but the calamari here can still be quality models — a small landing net keeps things clean, and the same applies if you wade. Give other anglers room on the flat, take your ink and rubbish home, and always check current rules in the Squid Fishing Regulations guide before you keep a feed.
Recommended gear and where to buy jigs
- A light eging rod, 2500 reel, PE 0.6–0.8 braid and fluorocarbon leader.
- A small spread of 2.5 (and a couple of 1.8–2.0) jigs in natural and soft pink, plus a glow option for dawn/dusk.
- A landing net (and a telescopic gaff if you also fish nearby piers).
For a buyer’s shortlist matched to this spot, see Best Squid Jig for Indented Head on eging.com.au, or browse the full RUI squid jig range.
Nearby spots
Indented Head is the middle of the eastern-Bellarine trio — if the wind turns it onshore, its neighbours are minutes away:
- Portarlington Pier — just north, deeper pier option.
- St Leonards Pier — just south, with a pier and ramp.
- Queenscliff Harbour — further south near the bay entrance.
- Wider planning via the Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne Squid Fishing hubs.
FAQ
Is Indented Head good for squid fishing?
Yes — the shallow sand-and-seagrass flats off Indented Head are classic southern calamari ground and easy to fish from the beach, by wading or by kayak. Because it is so shallow, it fishes best on a higher tide with offshore (west to south-west) wind keeping the water clear.
What size squid jig should I use at Indented Head?
Go small. A 2.5 is the all-round choice over the flats, a 1.8–2.0 helps in very shallow, calm, clear water, and a 3.0 covers the deeper edges or windier days. Slow-sinking jigs are key over skinny water.
What is the best tide for Indented Head?
A higher or making tide — the flats need enough water for squid to move in confidently, and a dead low can leave you walking mud. Combine it with dawn or dusk for the best window.
Can you fish Indented Head without a boat?
Absolutely. It is mostly a land-based and wading spot — walk the beach and foreshore and cast to the sand holes and weed edges. A kayak or small boat from the ramp just lets you reach more of the flats quietly.